News & Events

by
nmohan
July 24, 2017

US Ignite, Inc. seeking additional communities to join program designed to accelerate the creation of next-generation applications

We are excited to announce that US Ignite will accept applications for additional communities to join its Smart Gigabit Communities program (SGC), a program that seeks to enable communities to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation, gigabit applications and services. The SGC program enhances local community innovation ecosystems to develop and deploy next-generation gigabit applications and services that run on advanced networks.

With funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), US Ignite will competitively select and support communities that will increase SGC diversity in areas such as geography, population density, economic position, and resident demographics. Additional SGC applications proposing locally-generated support are also welcome to apply.

Funded via a three-year, $6 million grant from NSF, SGC has created a network of 19 communities each employing a common approach to foster a gigabit application ecosystem.

“Smart and connected communities and their residents have just begun to benefit from next-generation applications,” said William Wallace, Executive Director of US Ignite. “That is why we are so excited that more communities will have the opportunity to join this movement.”

As part of their participation, communities will support the creation of two next-generation applications annually that provide advanced technology solutions to issues or needs faced by a community – examples of local community needs include education, workforce development, public safety, smart transportation and community health.

These applications will be shared among the larger, nationwide ecosystem of gigabit communities – communities will also have access to applications developed by other communities. The benefits of each community’s program will be amplified by this network of SGCs.

SGC communities leverage installed gigabit capacity provided by organizations like Cox Communications, Google Fiber, AT&T, Comcast, Centurylink, Verizon, or a municipal or other gigabit provider. The gigabit connectivity can come from a state network, a fiber provider, gigabit wireless provider, or any other means of providing widespread gigabit connectivity.

Successful application developments by Smart Gigabit Community teams include the following:

STEM students in Chattanooga are experiencing biology and STEM like never before. Researchers at the University of Southern California place live biological specimens under a Digital Cinema Microscope and capture ultra-high resolution (4k) movies of the microorganisms while simultaneously transmitting live, HD images from the microscope to students in the STEM class. Students in turn are able to manipulate the microscope in near real time and interact with world-class professors from 2,000 miles away.

An application offers patients the opportunity to receive physical therapy in the home with more frequent assessment and adjustment of prescribed exercises, resulting in more effective rehabilitation and health outcomes. The interactive interface leverages Google Fiber grade high-speed networking and low-latency network paths.

Interested applicants can read more about the application requirements here. Applications are due by September 15, 2017. The top proposers will be interviewed by video during September and early October. We expect to announce the new communities by October 15, 2017.